The revisions are aimed at safety and bringing the city's ordinances up to date with other policies statewide. Cycling advocates worked with council's environment, safety and community services committee, and Law Director Gary Ebert, to update the ordinances.

Councilman Steve Lee, who chairs the committee, said it had been about 30 years since the last update. He introduced six pieces of legislation on Monday, adding that he expects a full three readings before council votes.

Cyclists at Monday's meeting praised the city for taking a collaborative approach to the process. One change the groups had pushed for was allowing bicyclists to ride two abreast on city streets as permitted by state law.

Proposed legislation before council would allow that -- up to a point. Only on Lake Road through Bay would cyclists be limited to single file.

Police Chief Mark Mark Spaetzel, a bicyclist himself, said the lanes on Lake are only 15 feet wide through Bay and he worries that passing two cyclists at once could force traffic into the oncoming lane or touch off a confrontation with bicyclists if motorists can't pass.

Cyclists said they believe it is actually safer to ride two abreast than to have motorists trying to pass two bicyclists riding single file. Lake Road is heavily used by bicyclists because it is part of the coast-to-coast Northern Tier bike route.

Cycling enthusiasts have said that once all the new rules are in place they intend to launch a public education campaign for bicyclists and motorists. Lee has said that he wants the measures to be in effect in time for city's annual Bike-to-School Challenge in May.